About Cinnabar
Mercury sulfide, known for its bright scarlet to brick-red color. Historically used as a pigment. It's a potent stone of transformation and abundance, associated with alchemy. (Highly toxic due to mercury content, handle with extreme care).
Primary Hues
Bright Red, Scarlet, Brownish-Red, Grey, (Toxic, contains mercury, handle with extreme care, do not ingest or create dust)
Geological & Scientific Details
Cinnabar is classified as a sulfide mineral mineral which typically crystallizes in the trigonal system. Its chemical formula is Mercury(II) sulfide, HgS. Common crystal habits include rhombohedral to tabular; granular to massive and as incrustations.
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Sulfide mineral
- Chemical Formula: Mercury(II) sulfide, HgS
- IMA Symbol: Cin[1]
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Predominant Geological Color: Cochineal-red, towards brownish red and lead-gray
- Crystal Habit: Rhombohedral to tabular; granular to massive and as incrustations
- Twinning: Simple contact twins, twin plane {0001}
- Cleavage: Prismatic {1010}, perfect
- Luster: Adamantine to dull
- Streak: Scarlet
- Diaphaneity: Transparent in thin pieces